Men's Basketball

Friske's Buzzer-Beater Lifts Bears Over Army, 59-57

West Point, New York -
Freshman Scott Friske scored a career high 24 points, including the game-winning basket with six-tenths of a second remaining, to lead Brown to a 59-57 New Year's Eve victory over Army. The win sends the Bears into the new year with a 3-8 record, while Army falls to 4-7.

With the score tied, 57-57, Brown gained possession under its own basket with two seconds left on the clock. After two time-outs, Bears' coach Glen Miller diagramed a play for Friske, who caught the inbound pass from Marcus Becker just inside the free throw line and shot the ball in one motion into the basket to give Brown the two-point win.

"Any win is a good win, and I'm extremely happy with this victory on the road," said Miller. "Scott Friske really stepped up for us once again. He brings the leadership of a senior, and his competitive nature rubs-off the rest of the team."

Army had tied the game six seconds earlier when Matt Bell scored on a driving lay-up with nine seconds left on the clock. Bell finished the game with 20 points for the Cadets.

The Bears had led by as many as seven points in the second half, 51-44, on a three-point basket by sophomore Damon Huffman with 6:06 left in the game.

Army jumped out to a 15-9 lead after hitting its first five shots from the field. The game settled down and the Bears rallied to grab a 23-20 lead at the half behind Friske's 11 first half points, including a three-point basket at the buzzer. Five of Brown's seven field goals came on shots behind the three-point arc as the Bears connected on 5 of 11 first half treys.

The Bears hoped to welcome back its lone senior and top rebounder Luke Ruscoe, who had missed the previous two games, both losses, due to injury. But Ruscoe stretched out before the game and was unable to play.

Friske scored his 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the field, while grabbing 4 rebounds for the Bears. Huffman's 14 points came on 3 of 5 shooting from behind the three-point arc and 5 of 5 free throws. Huffman also handed out five assists and made a career high 4 steals. Also contributing for the Bears was junior Nate Eads, who didn't score, but pulled down a team and career high 6 rebounds.

The Bears snapped out of their outside shooting slump by converting 8 of 19 treys (42 percent) for the game.

In addition to Bell's 20 points for the Cadets, Colin Harris tossed in 17 points.

The Bears will open the New Year at home on Tuesday against Canisius. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Pizzitola Sports Center.